Dagbon officially informs Okyenhene of Ya-Na’s passing

A high-powered delegation from the Dagbon Kingdom has paid a courtesy call on the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, to officially inform him of the passing of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ndan Ya-Naa Abukari II, and invite him to a series of traditional events following the King’s burial.

The delegation was led by the Paramount Chief of the Pishigu Traditional Area, Naa Bapir Pishigu-Lana Alhassan Andani and included the Paramount Chief of the Sakpe Traditional Area, Naa Bapir Sakpe-Naa Alabira; the Paramount Chief of the Dalung Traditional Area, Naa Dachi Tapha Mahamadu III and the Paramount Chief of the Nyankpala Traditional Area, Naa Dachi Nyankpal-Lana Mohammed.

Other members were Mohammed Adam Gariba, Registrar of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs; Chief Issah Munkaila, Medina Dagbamba-Naa; Chief Awudu Abdallah, Kasoa Dagbamba-Naa; Chief Sulley Mohammed, Amehire Dagbamba-Naa and Alhaji Salifu, Secretary to the Greater Accra Dagbamba-Naa.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Naa Bapir Pishigu-Lana Alhassan Andani highlighted the longstanding brotherly relationship between the late Ya-Naa Abukari II and the Okyenhene.

He said the enduring bond between the Dagbon and Okyeman traditional authorities transcended the lives of individual rulers and would continue to be nurtured by future generations.

The delegation informed the Okyenhene that Ya-Naa Abukari II joined his ancestors on July 11, 2026 and was laid to rest on July 13 in accordance with Islamic and Dagbon customs.

They noted that the seventh-day prayers were held at the Gbewaa Palace on July 24 and further invited the Okyenhene to the installation of Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu II as Regent of Dagbon, scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026.

Receiving the delegation, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin paid glowing tribute to the late Dagbon overlord, describing him as a distinguished statesman whose commitment to peace transformed the history of the kingdom.

“The greatest tribute we can pay to the memory of Ya-Naa Abukari II is to preserve the peace, unity and reconciliation that he tirelessly championed throughout his life,” the Okyenhene said.

He appealed to the kingmakers and people of Dagbon to honour the late monarch by safeguarding the peace, unity and development he worked so hard to achieve.

“Ya-Naa Abukari II was a towering symbol of peace, unity and statesmanship. His reign brought to a close one of the most painful chapters in the history of Northern Ghana through the amicable resolution of the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy crisis,” he stated.

According to the Okyenhene, the late King’s leadership demonstrated that dialogue, reconciliation and mutual respect remain the surest foundations for lasting peace.

“He was the epitome of tolerance, wisdom and compassion. These rare qualities enabled him to redefine traditional leadership as a powerful instrument for national cohesion and development.

“His influence extended far beyond the borders of Dagbon as he worked closely with traditional authorities across Ghana to build consensus on matters of national importance and promote harmony among the country’s diverse communities,” he added.